Sectionalizing switch



1958 T. E. CURTIS ET AL 2,849,554

SECTIONALIZING SWITCH Filed Aug. 17. 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 A, {7] /5/ 779 I73 [73 FIG. 97 1% c f 95 a 97 5 I07 /0/ 7 I09 I I0 3/ 6/ a9 137 I29 59 63 2 r k 3 29 75 777 73 2/ 7 29 9a? a 7 739 77 3 21 I2 i i 9 J mil 'r. E. CURTIS ET AL 2,849,554

SECTIONALIZING SWITCH Aug. 26, 1958 Filed Aug. 17. 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Aug. 26, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Aug. 17. 1956 mm mm 5 Filed Aug. 17. 1956 T. E. CURTIS ETAL SECTIONALIZING SWITCH 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 native p United States Patent SECTIONALIZING SWITCH lhomas E. Curtis and Ronald .-P. Jiridges, 'Centralia, Mo., assignors to A, B. Chance Company, Centralia, Mo.,

a corporation of Missouri Application August =17, 1 956, SerialNo.-604,-I98 Claims. 01. 200-48) This invention relates to sectionalizing switches, and with regard to certain more specific features, to gang- =operated, air-break switches of this class.

Among the several objects of the -invention may be noted the provision of a rlia'ble switch of the 'class describedeons'tructed tobe mounted on a single pole and conveniently operated from a single location'at the pole base, adapted to be set up fora wide *selection of 'sectionalizing feeder and loop connections, each'phase assembly of which com'prises acompact s'ide break arrangement or switch parts radially organized to eliminate interference -between swinging*switchelernents; the/provi- "sion of aswith o'f the'class describetlfthe parts'of which are arranged for maximum interchangeability so as to minimize the number -Jo'f diiferent -structur-al elements 'required to assemble a complete-switch; and the provision of aswitci-h "of-the cl-ass described which maybe convenien'tiyazmade up either 'for three-way -'or 'two way connec- -ti'ons" an d for various directions of swing 6f its=switch "elements. Other 'objects and features =will be in part apparentend-in partpointetlout hereinafter.

The inventionl-aceor'dinglycomprises the elements and combinations "ofelements, features of construction, and

-: arrangements of parts which will he exe'mpliiie'd *iu "the -structures hereinafter "described, -a'-nd the*-scope of 'which -will be indicated in the following claims.

In the: accompanying drawings, in" which -one or various p'ossible enrbodiments some -invention is illustrated,

Fig. l is '-a Yfront-elevationof afpoleshowing a 'threephase embodiment *of our "invention supported thereon, portions beinf-broken away for "compactness 1 of illustrat-ion;

I Fig. 2 is a horizontal section taken on line 2- 2 o'f Pigfil;

FigIB is a' vertical section taken 'on line 3 3'of Fi'gfi2; Fig. '4' is" an enlarged fragmentary Verticl-sectiontiken online 4- 4 of Fig. 2;

' Fig. "6 *is t a view similanto' FigfiSfbht showing an alter- 'on' of a' certain 'cam" ring;

i Fig. sa -fragmentary angled vertical section taken Fig. 11 8*is an enlarged section-taken on line -8-8 "of Fig.7;

Fig. 9 is anenlargedfragmcntarysectiontaken on line Fig. -10 is --a skelet'on 'plan view illustrating certain =structural zprinciples, the -sbliddines-iridioating"switch- -closed positions arid the 't'lottid lines-"indicating switch- 2,849,554 Patented Aug. 26, 1958 or three-phase circuit 3. Each phase of the circuit is controlled 'by one of three identical assemblies A, B, C,

one of which (A) will be described in detail below, thus serv'ing to describe all of the assemblies A, B and C, the parts of each being indexed the same. It will be understood that each assembly may, if desired, be employed for single-phase operation, or two of them for two-phase operation.

Referring now to Figs. 2 and 3, assembly A is composed of a horizontal platform 5, built up by-Welding or equivalent fastening means to provide side members '7 joined at adjacent ends to a horizontal brace 9. The other ends of members 7 and 9 are joined by horizontal transverse braces 11 extending to brace 9. At the connection between braces 9 and 11 is located a short channel section 13 by means of which attachment is made to the pole. One attachment is constituted by a bolt 15 fastened through the pole and the other by means of a pair of straps 17 held by *lag screws 18. Cross braces '19 connect the members 9 and 11, whereby a rigid horizontal platform results. Angled braces 21 are attached at their upper'ends to-the platform 5 and attheir lower ends to a support 13, the latter being downwardly fastened to the pole 1. A stiffening auxiliary brace is shown at 25. Fastened to the'corners of the-triangular structure 5 are bars 27 forming anchors for strain insulators 29 which support wires 3. Jumpers leading from the wires are indicatedat 31.

Extending "from the transverse braces 11 are *bearing plates 33, having bolt and *slot connections "35 for position-adjusting purposes. These-bearing plates carry bearings 37'f01 control Shafts'39 and 41, respectively. "These shafts extend through corresponding bearings 37 in all o'f'the assemblies A, B, C, and jdownwardto a point near the ground, and are adapted for manual control by an operator standing at ,the base of the pole '1. At their 'lower ends the shafts are carried rotatably in suitable po'lebrackets 43,-being at this point provided with hinged operating handles 45. Operatingpositions of the handles 7 are "as-suggested by the dotteddine '45 at the left hand bottom 'of Fig.1.

A third-control shaft 47 traverses all. of the assemblies A, 'B andC, passing through-openings 49in the suppgrts '23. The'shaft-47 also passes throughbraees 9 viabearlingbratzkets '51, ,boltedto the braces as shown at 53. The lower end-of the shaft 47- is supported in ,a rotary manner in another bracket 48 near the'lower end of .the pole 1, where it 3150 'iS provided with anotherhinged operating handle-45. Adjacent each bearingjbracket j51, the shaft '47 carries a control arm 55, and adjacent each bra ket 37 theshafts 39 and respectively carry arms57 and 59.

Near the respectivecorners of'the triangplar structure formed by-each horizontalplatform 5 are rotaryinsu- 'lators 6'1, 63 and ,65, Each of these insulators has a lower operating shaft 67 cemented into andextending from'its lower end. To each sha-ft167 is"bo l ted an arrn =69 "and also a hollow -gudgeon 71 which'is. rotary in a hollow bearing block'73. The latterin turn is boltedt o the appropriate structural memberof platforrn s. for example; in Fig. 7 is illustrated the insulator fil haying the stated arrangement, wherein the bearing block 73 is carried-on one of the transverse braces '11. Each bearing'block73 has'bolted thereto ,a stop75 engagcable by 'a stop arm 77 extending downward from the respeQtiV-e arm'-69,'whereby rotation of the insulator is limited.

The stop member 75 is supported relative to member ll-by means of one of a plurality of holdingbolts 76. Themember 75 is slotted for efiecting adjiistments in the limitations upon the movement-of member 77. Arm i69nmay be variably positioned by resetting it relative :to' its fastening bolts 70, of which there :are four, equally .;spaced..

Each arm 69 has pivoted thereto a clamp 79. The clamp 79 associated with insulator 61 is attached to a connecting rod 81, extending to a similar clamp 79 pivoted on arm 57 The clamp 79'associated with insulator 63 is attached to a connecting rod 85, extending to a similar clamp 79 pivoted on arm 59. The clamp 79 associated with insulator 65 is attached to a connecting rod 87, extending to a similar clamp 79 pivoted on arm 55.

Anticlockwise rotation of shaft 39 will cause anticlockwise rotation of insulator 61 up to a limiting point, as determined by its associated steps 75 and 77; clockwise rotation of shaft 41 will cause clockwise rotation of the insulator 63 to a limiting point as determined by its corresponding stops; and anticlockwise rotation of shaft 47 will cause anticlockwise rotation of insulator 65 up to a limiting point as determined by its corresponding stops. Shafts 39, 41 and 47 are rotatably controlled from the respective lower handles 45.

Attached to the upper end of each insulator 61. 63 and 65 (as illustrated, for example, in the case of insulator 61 in Fig. 7) is a cap 89 to which is pinned (as at 91) a threaded conductive shank 93. This forms part of a hollow conducting elbow 95, from which extends a tubular conducting switch arm 97, fastened thereto as illustrated at 99. Shank 93 is threaded through an internally threaded hollow conducting terminal plate 101. Washers 105 and a protective skirt 163 protect the rotary threaded connection from the weather and permit some axial movement between members 93 and 151. The terminal plate 101 carries wire connectors 107 for connecting an appropriate jumper 31. Rotation of each insulator as above described results in swinging of its arm 97 to perform a switching action, the stated threaded connections forming a conducting bearing with the respective terminal plates 101. In order to maintain good electrical threaded contact, the arrangement shown in Fig. 8 is used, wherein one side of the plate 101 is extended as a hollow cylinder 169 provided with an enclosing cap 111 forming a reactive backing for a compression spring 113. Spring 113 is operative upon a fiber or like disc 115 for applying side pressure on the threaded shank 93 relative to the plate 101. This assures pressurized thread engagement for reliable current conduction.

Geometrically the rotary insulators 61, 63 and 65 are on the corners of an equilateral triangle. At the approximate center of this triangle is a stationary insulator 117. the lower pintle 119 of which (Fig. 4) is fixedly attached to the brace 9 by a fixed spacing block 121, bolts 123 being used for the purpose.

Fastened to the upper end of the insulator 117 is a stationary conductive spider or bushing 125, held in place on insulator 117 by bolts 127. The spider 125 has attached to it marginally (see bolts 126 in Fig. 2) three identical conductor blocks 129, each of which has an internal threaded cylinder 131 (Fig. 4). These are for threadably receiving threaded conducting shanks 133 respectively of elbows 135, 136 or 133 (Fig. 2) to which socket-forming spring conductive clip assemblies 137 respectively are attached. Each block 129 is radially adjustable in position by reason of slots 128 for reception of the bolts 126. Clip assemblies 137 are adapted springingly to receive the outer ends 139 of switch arms 97.

Adequate conductive engagements between the threads 131 and 133 (Fig. 4) are obtained as follows: Below each shank 133, each block is made hollow, as shown at 141, and provided with a removable cover 143. From the threaded shank 133 extends a polygonal stub 145 for reversibly receiving the cooperatively notched inside of a cam ring 147. Each cam ring 147 has lugs 149 and 151 for receiving thrust from compression springs 153. Each ring 147 also has cam lift portions 155 for detent engagement with a ball end 156 of a detent 157. The detent is biased by means of a spring 159 in a pocket member 161 which is threaded into the side of the block 129. Lug 151 also is engageable either with :1 lug 153 (Fig. 5) or a lug 165 (Fig. 6). By comparing Figs. 5 and 6, it will be seen that a cam ring, by reason of internal engaging notches 167, may be applied to a stub end 145 in either of two horizontal turned-over positions. It is applied in the Fig. 6 position on the lower end of the elbow 135 (Fig. 2) and in the Fig. 5 position to the lower ends of the elbows 136 and 138.

In view of the above, it will be seen that by rotating shafts 39 and 47 clockwise, i. e., by operating their respective handles 45, the insulators 61 and 65 will be rotated clockwise from the switch-closed positions shown in Figs. 2 and 10 to switch-open positions. Darts a indicate the direction of this movement. In accordance with such movement, the elbows 136 and 138 move anticlockwise to switch-open positions, as shown by anticlockwise darts b. By rotating shaft 41 anticlockwise, the insulator 63 is rotated anticlockwise, thus moving its switch arm 97 to open position (see dart c). In accordance with this movement, elbow 135 moves clockwise (see dart d). The opening movements of the switch arms 97 are on the order of The opening movements of the elbows 135, 136 and 138 are on the order of 45, as determined by engagement of lug 151 with stop 163 or 165, as the case may be (see Figs. 5 and 6). This movement is sufficient to allow escape of the ends 139 of the respective switch arms 97 from the; respective spring clip assemblies 137. At the same time, the clip assemblies are held in position for reentry of the beveled ends of the switch arms 97 upon reclosing movements which are opposite to those shown by said darts a, b, c and d. It will be understood that angling closing movements of the insulators 61, 63 and 65 are limited by the stops 75 and 77. The degree of the angling opening movements of the insulators 61, 63 and 65 is not critical, it being understood that suitable notches may be employed in the brackets 43 and 48 at the bottom of the pole for accepting the handles 45 in open and closed positions of the respective switches, that is, when the handles are dropped from the operating position 45' to the vertical positions shown. Fig. 10 illustrates an important feature of the invention, namely, that the side-break arrangement between the ends of rotary arms 97 and the rotary clip assemblies 137 affords ample rotary clearance between the ends of said arms during opening and closing movements, which would not be as feasible if the arm ends were swingable merely into stationary contact clips on the stationary insulator 117.

In order to provide a snap-acting horn gap to avoid an are that might otherwise be drawn between the ends of the switch arms 97 and the spring clip assemblies 137 upon opening movements, each arm 97 is provided with a conductive bracket 171 clamped thereto. This supports a spring conductor wire 173. The wire in closed position of the switch rests upon a rigid conductor strap 175, bolted to the conductive spider as shown at 177. Each strap arches over its respective elbow 135, 136, 138, as the case may be, and at its end is provided with a sloping U-shaped detent and cam member 179. Thus when a switch is opened, its conductive wire 173 rides out over the strap 175 and is temporarily caught within the legs of the U-shaped member 179 as the respective opening switch arm 97 leaves the respective spring clip assembly 137. Thereafter the wire 173 is drawn out of the U-shape 179 and springingly snaps so as rapidly to open the circuit, breaking any are that may tend to form between the strap and wire. In order to prevent vibration of the released wire 173 and possible restriking of the are each bracket 171 is provided with a pair of rigid arms 181. Between these arms is fastened a pad of resilient material 183 such as artificial rubber, leather, canvas or the like, which receives the impact of the wire 173 as it snaps upon release from its (respective catch 17 9. Thisdamps out=all vibratory action of wire 17-3 thatomightsotherwiseoccur. -Upen --closingm ovement, the wire-moves np -the outside-slope of-theU shape.179.(rid'ing uppad 183) and-again takes up a contact position "on the strap 175, as-shown in .Fig- 3.

In viewnof the -above uit .wilLbe-seen-that the -sub- .stantially equilateral triangular arrangement ofrotary sinsulators forwthe switch arms' 97, the' 'stationary insulator 65 located at or near the-ggeometrie -center of this triangle, and the radially arranged -side break switchesprovide -.a :structure wherein interference :between switchopening. elementsis avoided, :while atnhe'same time all of the parts constituting-eachof-the three individual rotary switches may be manufactured of identical parts. In this connection it -will- .bemoted :that-the'" reversibility of the cam-ring -147 contributes to this interchangeability, eventhoughit 'is'required tli'attwo'of the switches in an assembly such-as--sho\vn "in Figs. 2 and -l O shall open in -'-a '-"clockwise --direction tSf th'ir switeh' arms, Whereas the other switch in such assembly opens in an anticlockwise direction of its switch arm.

If it is desired to carry out the construction as a twoway arrangement rather than the three-way arrangement shown, the parts for any one switch, as shown in Fig. 2, may be omitted, the advantages of the invention being preserved in respect to the remaining two switches. If any one switch is omitted, it is possible that the unnecessary portions of the supporting framework may be omitted, although this is not absolutely necessary. The relatively small number of parts that need to be stocked will be apparent when it is noted that the parts for each rotary assembly connected with insulator 61, 63 or 65 are the same, including arms 69 and 97, and likewise the parts that are associated with each assembly for the rotary assembly 137 are the same, including the spring arcing horn parts. In addition, all of the parts for shafts 39, 41 and 47, including the arms 55, 57 and 59, may be made the same. The rods 81 and 85 may be identical and of course all of the parts of each supporting frame at A, B and C may likewise be identical. In view of the above, it will be seen that the new arrangement provides from a relatively small number of parts a safe, reliable and compact sectionalizing airbreak switch which is applicable to a large number of circuit arrangements required to be controlled.

In general, as indicated in Fig. 10, the rotations of the two rotary insulators 61 and 63 will be opposite, as determined by the adjustably positioned stops 75. While the rotation of the insulator 65 is shown as being clockwise in order to open its switch, it will be understood that this limited rotation may be reversed if desired by suitably positioning the respective stop 75. In such cases the corresponding switch arm 97 of the insulator should be set into proper position so that its beveled end will properly cooperate with the clip assembly adapted to receive it. Repositioning of the arm 97 may be accomplished by removing its holding bolt 99 (Fig. 7), turning the switch arm to proper position and reinserting the bolt.

It will be seen from Fig. 10, that one phase of the invention may be characterized as the provision of a sectionalizing switch wherein three side-break switches having duplicate parts are arranged with their rotatable insulators on the corners of an equilateral triangle having a common insulator at the geometric center of the triangle with rotations of the elements of two pairs of the switches being respectively opposite, and those of another pair of said switches being the same.

In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

As various changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above '6 description or =Sl30WD. '-.l.fl the accompanying =drawings shallmbe interpreted'as'illustrative and not in a'limiting -sense.

We claim:

:1. A sectionalizing-switch eomprising three side-break switches, -each of *which has "a horizontally swinging switch arm and a rotary insulatorsupportingsaidswitch arm for-swinging movement, and allot which-have a -common "stationary insulatorlocatedesubstantially-at the geometric center of an equilateral triangle' having its corners at the centers of rotation of-therotary-insulators, aconductive bushing-atfixed to --the common ainsulator, three spring-clip assemblies rotatable in the bushing and engageable -and disengageable with the respective switch arms upon respective rotations of the latter, reversible stop means for the swinging-switch arms,- and reversible stop means -for the rotatable :clip nassemblies,-whereby each switch may be assembled from; substantially identical insulator, clip assembly-and switch-arm parts for various directions of rotation of its side-break switches for :Qpening and closing movements.

2. A sectionalizing switch comprising at least two vertical insulators rotatable on first and second vertical axes establishing centers of rotation, a stationary insulator having a third vertical axis establishing a point located substantially to one side of a straight line joining said centers, said point and said centers establishing angled center lines corresponding to closed-circuit operations, a stationary conductive member supported by the stationary insulator, at least one pair of first conductive elbows rotatable on vertical elbow axes in said conductive member, each vertical elbow axis being located on one of said center lines between said point and one of said centers, said elbows having swingable open-ended spring clip-forming sockets which move in a horizontal plane in paths clear of said third vertical axis, the open end of each of said sockets being directed away from said point, a second pair of conductive elbows carried by and rotatable with said rotatable insulators respectively, horizontally directed conductive switch arms having horizontal axes extending respectively from said second pair of elbows, stop means establishing a coaxial relation between each switch arm and the axis of its associated clip socket in circuitclosed position thereof on one of said center lines with a switch arm in its respective socket, and stop means for limiting opening movement for each of said first pair of elbows to a stop position wherein the swinging end of a cooperable switch arm may leave and enter the respective socket.

3. A sectionalizing switch comprising at least two vertical insulators rotatable on first and second vertical axes establishing centers of rotation, a stationary insulator having a third vertical axis establishing a point located substantially to one side of a straight line joining said centers, said point and said centers establishing angled center lines of equal lengths, a stationary conductive member supported by the stationary insulator, at least one pair of first conductive elbows rotatable on vertical elbow axes in said conductive member, each vertical elbow axis being located at the same relative position on one of said center lines between said point and one of said centers, said elbows having swingable open-ended spring clip-forming sockets of substantially equal forms which move in a horizontal plane and form extensions of substantially equal lengths from said conductive member, the open ends of said sockets being directed away from said point, a second pair of conductive elbows of substantially equal forms carried by and rotatable with said rotatable insulators respectively, horizontally directed conductive switch arms of substantially equal lengths having horizontal axes extending from said second pair of elbows, reversible stop means establishing a coaxial relation between each switch arm and the axis of its associated clip socket in circuit-closed position thereof on one of said angled center lines, and

reversible stop means for limiting opening movement for each of said first pair of elbows to a stop position wherein the swinging end of a cooperable switch arm may leave and enter the respective socket.

4. A sectionalizing switch comprising three vertical insulators rotatable on centers established by three vertical axes on the apexes of a triangle, a stationary insulator having a vertical axis establishing a location within said triangle and substantially to one side of any of the three straight lines joining two of said apexes, said location and said apexes establishing three angled center lines, a stationary conductive member supported by the stationary insulator, a first set of three conductive elbows rotatable on vertical elbow axes in said conductive member, each vertical elbow axis being positioned on one of said center lines between said location and one of said centers, said elbows having swingable spring clip-forming open-ended sockets which move in a horizontal plane in paths clear of said location, the open end of each of said sockets being directed away from said location, a second set of three conductive elbows carried by and rotatable with said rotatable insulators respectively, horizontally directed conductive switch arms having horizontal axes extending from said second set of three elbows, stop means establishing a coaxial relation between each switch arm and the axis of its associated clip socket in circuit-closed position thereof on one of said angled center lines, and stop means for limiting opening movement for each of said first set of three elbows to a stop position wherein the swinging end of a cooperable switch arm may leave and enter the respective socket.

5. A sectionalizing switch according to claim 4, wherein said triangle is equilateral and said location is substantially at its geometric center.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

